Treasures shop will hold an open house

R & M

TREAT YOURSELF this weekend with a visit to a tiny treasure box of a shop when R & M Treasures, at 4107 E. Mott Ave.,

Hampstead, holds a Holiday Open House.

Proprietors Ruth and Maurice Yingling will be at the shop Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The tiny shop sits in its own niche off Mott Avenue, which runs between Main Street and Black Rock Road.

Perhaps you'll win the door prize. Any purchase entitles the buyer to a gift, and refreshments will be available.

For 10 years, Ruth and Maurice Yingling (hence the R & M name) have collected and sold a museumlike assortment of glittering ,, glassware new and old, limited-edition collectibles and antique curiosities, plus reproduction oak furniture destined to become heirlooms.

One of Maurice Yingling's favorite glassmakers is Fenton, so this shop offers the largest selection of Fenton glass in the area. Since the 1900s, Fenton has been a family product from Williamstown, W. Va., and became wildly popular about 1905, when it produced carnival glassware, given away at carnival penny-pitch games.

Today, elegant, yearly limited edition Fenton is molded and hand painted for collectors. The collectors contact distributors like Mr. Yingling to purchase, say, a vase painted in the sunset-like graduated colors of the Burmese style, a bell with birds or gilded pine cones for Christmas, or a bell with a music box inside.

Mrs. Yingling's favorite, Westmoreland glass, is no longer produced. Beloved for its milky opacity, it is available in quantity here, in several patterns such as Paneled Grape and Old Quilt.

Looking for music boxes? The Yinglings have incredibly detailed and highly collectible music boxes, also from Enesco.

Information: R & M Treasures, 374-6161.

Fun at Lineboro

As sure as the trees will flame with color on Main Street, the Lineboro Volunteer Fire Company will hold its annual Indoor Fair and Halloween Parade. Few people, if anyone, can remember an October without these events.

"It's traditional," said firefighter and driver David Dickmyer before last year's parade. "I don't know how far back it goes, but when she was little, my mother used to dress up for the parade."

This year, on Friday, anyone in costume, regardless of age, is welcome to line up at approximately 6 p.m. behind the fire hall in one of five categories to be judged for monetary prizes. The parade starts at 7 p.m.

"The parade comes down around dignitaries, such as the Fire Prevention Queen and fire department chiefs," said fire Lt. Michael Buckley, referring to the parade tradition of children converging on those who will judge their costumes. "Not big dignitaries, but people who have titles."

For the indoor fair, the fire hall is transformed Friday and Saturday into a haven for crafts, great homemade food, music by the Alesia-Lineboro Band, carnival games and another Lineboro tradition, the auction.

For at least 75 years, the auction has been held on the Saturday of the indoor fair at the rear of the firehouse. Until the gavel drops at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, donated items are accepted for the auction.

"Music, games and good food" signify the indoor fair, Lieutenant Buckley said.

"They're carnival-type games, like a country store, big-six wheel, and dime pitches," he explained. "Of course, we serve food. All of it is the best. Try the roast beef and shrimp platters on Saturday."

The fair is also the occasion for drawing raffle winners -- at midnight Saturday. As the clock strikes 12, both the $3,000 giveaway winner and the winner of the gun raffle will be drawn. Tickets are available until minutes before the drawing. The $3,000 giveaway tickets are $1 each or six tickets for $5; the gun raffle tickets are $2 each or three tickets for $5.

Lineboro, which might become a historic district in its entirety, is at the northeastern end of the county. From Route 30 north, take Route 86 (Lineboro Road) almost to the county line. Drive out of town and you'll be in Pennsylvania.

Information: Lineboro Volunteer Fire Company, 374-2197.

Scared out of your wits

Get set to scream for five horrible nights, from Oct. 27 through 31, each evening starting at dark.

Members of the Lineboro Volunteer Fire Company are cooking up a nightmare for Halloween.

They're inviting the public for a Haunted Hayride. This ride of macabre delights will tumble along three miles of dirt roads, called "historic back lanes" by the fire company. The wagon will pass through areas of "ghosts and ghouls on the prowl."

Rides begin at dark and stop at midnight Friday and Saturday, and 10 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday. All ages are welcome to ride. Cost will be $3 for those ages 9 and up; $1 for children 2 to 8. The hayride benefits the fire company.